Where Steelers, Bengals, Ravens sit in AFC North, playoff picture after Thursday night originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Cincinnati Bengals bounced back with a victory over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 13, which was also the first game back for quarterback Joe Burrow.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe win stops the bleeding for the Bengals, who were in the midst of a four-game losing streak before Thursday's night's win.
Meanwhile, the Ravens saw their five-game winning streak snapped. The streak was misleading, anyway, as Baltimore didn't play particularly well during it and benefitted from a weak slate in that span.
With the Thursday night game in the books, here's where things stand in the AFC North and playoff picture for the Bengals, Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers.
AFC North standings
1. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5)
2. Baltimore Ravens (6-6)
3. Cincinnati Bengals (4-8)
4. Cleveland Browns (3-8)
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Steelers have yet to play this week, but if they can beat the Buffalo Bills on Sunday, Pittsburgh will sit in first place in the AFC North.
If the Steelers lose, the Ravens will regain the top spot in the division.
As for Cincinnati, they will remain in third place no matter what, but they could gain a game on the Steelers if they lose to the Bills.
With the way the Steelers and Ravens have been playing of late, and with Burrow back, it's no longer out of the question for Cincinnati to make a run at the division.
AFC playoff picture
With the Ravens' loss to the Bengals, the Steelers move into the No. 4 spot in the AFC playoff picture for now, while the Ravens fall to No. 9.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementPittsburgh and Baltimore will swap spots again if the Steelers don't beat the Bills.
As for Cincinnati, they are in the No. 12 spot going into the weekend, but they can move up to No. 11 if the Miami Dolphins lose to the New Orleans Saints on Sunday.
Considering how far back they are in the conference playoff picture, Cincinnati's best bet for a playoff spot might be in the division.
More NFL News
Daniel Jones injury update and video is concerning for Colts QB
Why Frank Ragnow retired and came out of retirement for Lions
Steelers, Vikings named possible landing spots for stopgap QB
When is Trevon Diggs coming back? Latest injury update on Cowboys CB
When is Jayden Reed coming back? Latest injury update on Packers WR
